Pepper arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault

A 52-year-old Victoria man is fighting for his life after being attacked Thursday morning at a convenience store.

Lupe Sandoval was leaving Stripes Convenience Store, 1302 E. Rio Grande St., when he was struck in the back of the head and then severely beaten while unconscious about 4:21 a.m., his family said.

Marlin Adams, more known as “Pepper,” was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault, causing serious bodily injury and obstruction or retaliation, both felonies and is at the Victoria County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

Because Sandoval is in a coma, his family is almost in the dark about the attack and are struggling to come to terms with how Pepper, a man they all know, could do this.

“We know him – we all know Pepper,” said Rose Sandoval. “I don’t know what set him off to attack my brother, but it’s scary he just walks around Victoria and you never know what he is capable of.”

The incident Thursday morning isn’t a first for Adams. According to court records, he’s been arrested for assault causing bodily injury, aggravated assault of a police officer and unlawfully carrying a weapon.

A criminal complaint states Adams also made threatening comments to the arresting officer Thursday, stating he was “coming to get me when he got out of jail,” the officer wrote in the report.

Victoria Police Department officials are investigating the assault and were unable to comment Thursday.

Sandoval was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston and has a fractured skull and isn’t able to breathe on his own, his sister said.

The family requests prayers from the community and asks that people be wary of Adams.

“Don’t be fooled,” Rose Sandoval said. “You never know what he’s(Pepper) is capable of – this is a wake up call.”